Guidelines

(Mandatory Referrals are part of the BBC's editorial management system.  While they will not, in themselves, meet the Principles in the Editorial Guidelines, they are an essential part of the process to ensure compliance and must be observed.)

18.2.1

Any decision to proceed with a programme despite legal advice must be referred to the most senior editorial level in the relevant division and Director Editorial Policy and Standards.

(See 18.3.1)

18.2.2

Any proposal to break the law must be referred to a senior editorial figure, or for independents to the commissioning editor, who may consult Programme Legal Advice and, if necessary, Director Editorial Policy and Standards. 

(See 18.3.1)

18.2.3

Any formal requests for information or notices to stop processing under the Data Protection Act must be referred in good time to Information Policy and Compliance (IPC). 

(See 18.11.4)